During our stay in LA we tried some pretty amazing Southern California food. LA is world-famous for its extraordinary food scene. I remember learning all about sushi and California in this episode of Stuff You Should Know. 

My sister and I are always especially happy to try new health food cafés and restaurants. In some cities, these places can be tricky to find - but I love how they are everywhere around LA.

I keep dreaming about all these places, so I decided to compile a little list of my favourites:

Nekter Juice Bar
Ever since I went to Brazil I've been completely obsessed with Açaí bowls. Sadly, it's really difficult to find outside of the Americas. The Açaí berry is native to Brazil, it grows on the açaí palm in the Amazonas and it resembles the Northern blueberry. 

To get the real taste, this stuff has to be made with freshly frozen berries. An incredible energising and healthy breakfast or snack - my dream is to live around the corner from this place.

Nekter also does Pitaya bowls, they are naturally pink and the taste is just wow! 

Urth caffe
Urth can be found all around LA. We had just been to the Hollywood hills and were driving back down to Venice in the rain, desperate for lunch.

We found Urth, and were lucky to get a table in their garden. I felt so hungry and cold that I ordered all the things. Green tea boba made with Almond milk. A hot jasmine tea. Bread (it was included, but still). And I tell you this, in Cali you can definitely find some of the best kale salads. This one was not an exception. 

Kreation
The last day we went stand-up paddle boarding! We started at Mother's beach in del Rey and went out in the Marina. We paddled next to seals and sea lions that were sleeping on the boats and piers. When we got back, I tried some yoga moves. If paddle boarding is kind of easy, SUP Yoga is way harder and challenging for the balance. Let's say this - the water was warm. :)

After our paddle tour, we went to Kreation for some food. The menu was remarkable, so many juices and smoothies to choose from. I had a Goji açaí bowl, tabbouleh salad and their green chlorophyll water. 

True food
I adore this place. We went here twice and everything we had was simply amazing. Quinoa burgers, kale salads, vegetable rice bowls, homemade pizza, guacamole, hummus, edamame dumplings - you name it. So many choices, and everything was equally fresh and delicious. 

Some other places that I really loved too are Sweet Rose Creamery, Intelligentsia Coffee and Moon Juice Shop. All are worth trying if you're visiting..

Yesterday it was the National Kale Day! If you want, we can make it a national holiday. Wouldn't that be amazing. A day to celebrate the fight for better food and health. Sounds like a good idea, sign the petition here  http://chn.ge/1bsaCjp

Soba noodles with kale, carrots and tamari
Serves 1-2

85 g buckwheat soba noodles
2 organic carrots
two handfuls of organic kale
1/4 red onion
1 tsp grated ginger
1 small clove of garlic,
crushed 2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp tamari sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
a pinch of sea salt

Begin with the kale. Grab the bottom of each stalk and pull upwards with the other hand. The whole leaf will come right off. Wash all the leaves in a strainer and let dry before placing in a bowl. Add some salt and lemon juice and start to massage the greens for 3-5 minutes. This breaks down the cell walls and brings out a brighter green color.

Bring water to boil in a pot. In the meantime, peel and chop the carrots into small rounds.  Peel and slice the red onion.  When the water is boiling, add sea salt and the noodles to the pot and let simmer for 4 minutes. Drain with cold water.

Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the ginger and garlic. Fry for a minute before adding the red onion and carrots. Fry until softened and golden in color. Add the kale. Stir everything together for one minute. Now add the soba noodles and Tamari sauce. Turn gently in the pan. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!  The recipe is for one person but can easily be made for two or more by adding more noodles and veggies!